Compositions and methods for preventing infection

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to cholesterol-sequestering agents and methods of using cholesterol-sequestering agents to prevent infection. The compositions of the invention can be used to decontaminate skin and environmental surfaces that are contacted with microorganisms such as envelope viruses.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No.60/402,318, filed Aug. 8, 2002. The prior application is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to methods and compositions for preventinginfection, and more particularly to methods and compositions usingcholesterol-sequestering agents.

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic approaches have proven largely ineffective for treatinginfections with envelope viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) and other sexually transmitted viral diseases (STDs). In addition,non-sexually transmitted viral diseases such as influenza as well asinfections caused by a variety of other microorganisms continue toflourish largely unchecked. The medical community is thus faced with amajor need to develop: viricides that destroy human immunodeficiencyvirus (HIV), herpes simplex virus (HSV) and other causative agents ofsexually transmitted diseases (STDs); viricides that destroynon-sexually transmitted viruses causing diseases such as influenza andparainfluenza; and compounds that destroy wide spectrum of infectiousmicroorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, andprotozoa.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the invention features a composition containing anabsorbent material containing a cholesterol-sequestering agent thatprevents or reduces viral transmission, wherein the composition isformulated for dermal application to release an amount of thecholesterol-sequestering agent effective to reduce or prevent dermaltransmission of an envelope virus to an individual when the compositionis contacted to the skin of the individual.

A “cholesterol-sequestering agent” refers to a compound that binds tocholesterol and extracts and depletes cholesterol from a biologicalmembrane such as a plasma membrane or a membrane of an envelope virus. Acholesterol-sequestering agent preferentially extracts cholesterol fromlipid rafts present in a biological membrane. Thecholesterol-sequestering agent can be, for example, a cyclodextrin. Inone example, the cholesterol-sequestering agent is a beta-cyclodextrinsuch as 2-OH-propyl-beta-cyclodextrin.

The envelope virus can be, for example, a human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) such as HIV-1 or HIV-2; a human herpes virus (HHV) such as HHV1,HHV2, HHV3, HHV4, HHV5, HHV6, HHV7, or HHV8; a hepatitis virus such ashepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, or hepatitis D virus; a pox virussuch as a small pox virus or molluscum contagiosum virus; anorthomyxovirus such as an influenza virus types A, B, or C; aparamyxovirus such as a mumps virus or a parainfluenza virus type 1, 2,3, or 4; a human T-cell lymphotropic (HTLV) virus such as HTLV type I orII; a togaviruses such as rubella virus, yellow fever virus, or sinbisvirus; ebola virus; or a coronavirus such as severe acute respiratorysyndrome (SARS) virus. The envelope virus can be any type or any strainof a given envelope virus. Non-limiting examples of envelope viruses andvarious types are described herein.

In addition to envelope viruses, the compositions and methods describedherein can be used to prevent dermal transmission of a variety ofmicroorganisms, for example, a bacterium (e.g., anthrax or chlamydia), amycobacterium (e.g., mycobacterium tuberculosis), a virus (e.g., anon-envelope virus, e.g., a protein coated virus such as picoma virus),a fungus, or a protozoan.

The composition can be in any form that allows for the release of thecholesterol-sequestering agent to a surface of the skin. For example,the cholesterol-sequestering agent can be contained in a swab or a towelsuch as a wipe. In one embodiment, the absorbent material is cotton.

In one embodiment, the envelope virus is a human immunodeficiency virus(HIV). In other embodiments, the envelope virus is a human herpes virus,a hepatitis virus, a pox virus, an influenza virus, a parainfluenzavirus, or a human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV). The invention alsofeatures a kit containing a plurality of compositions, e.g., swabs orwipes, described herein. For example, a kit can contain at least 10, 50,100, 500, 1,000, 10,000, or more of the compositions described herein.In some embodiments, the compositions contained in the kits aresterilized.

In another aspect, the invention features a glove containing an interiorsurface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface or theexterior surface of the glove is coated with an amount of acholesterol-sequestering agent described herein effective to reduce orprevent dermal transmission of an envelope virus to an individualwearing the glove.

The cholesterol-sequestering agent contained in the glove can be, forexample, a cyclodextrin. In one example, the cholesterol-sequesteringagent is a beta-cyclodextrin such as 2-OH-propyl-beta-cyclodextrin. Theenvelope virus can be any envelope virus described herein. In oneembodiment, the interior surface of the glove is coated with thecholesterol-sequestering agent. In another embodiment, the exteriorsurface of the glove is coated with the cholesterol-sequestering agent.In yet another embodiment, the interior surface and the exterior surfaceof the glove are coated with the cholesterol-sequestering agent. Theinterior and/or exterior of the glove can optionally be coated with apowder containing the cholesterol-sequestering agent.

In one embodiment, the envelope virus is a human immunodeficiency virus(HIV). In other embodiments, the envelope virus is a human herpes virus,a hepatitis virus, a pox virus, an influenza virus, a parainfluenzavirus, or a human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV). The invention alsofeatures a kit containing a plurality of gloves containing a coating ofa cholesterol-sequestering agent, as described herein. For example, akit can contain at least 10, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 10,000, or more of thegloves described herein. In some embodiments, the gloves contained inthe kits are sterilized.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of reducing orpreventing viral transmission, the method including the steps of:selecting an individual engaged in an activity associated with anelevated risk of exposure to an envelope virus, wherein the activity isnot a sexual or drug use-related activity; and contacting a skin surfaceof the individual with a composition containing an amount of acholesterol-sequestering agent effective to reduce or prevent dermaltransmission of the envelope virus to the individual.

In one embodiment, the individual is a medical worker, e.g., a personthat handles blood, blood products, or some other biological samplecontaining human material. In another embodiment, the individual is asoldier. For example, the method can be used to prevent the infection ofa soldier with a pox virus.

In one embodiment, an extremity, e.g., the hands, of the individual iscontacted with the composition. For example, the composition can be aglove containing an interior surface and an exterior surface, whereinthe interior surface and/or the exterior surface of the glove is coatedwith an amount of the cholesterol-sequestering agent effective to reduceor prevent dermal transmission of the envelope virus to the individual.In another example, the composition contains an absorbent materialcontaining the cholesterol-sequestering agent, wherein the compositionis contacted to the skin surface of the individual and releases anamount of the cholesterol-sequestering agent effective to reduce orprevent transmission of the envelope virus to the individual.

In one embodiment, the composition is contacted to a portion of the skincontaining a lesion or an irritation. For example, the composition canbe contacted to a portion of the skin containing a lesion resulting froma puncture of the skin with a medical instrument. In one embodiment, themedical instrument is a needle or a scalpel.

In another embodiment, the composition contains a cream containing thecholesterol-sequestering agent. In another embodiment, the compositioncontains a spray containing the cholesterol-sequestering agent. Inanother embodiment, the composition contains a powder containing thecholesterol-sequestering agent.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of treating anenvironmental surface, the method including the steps of: identifying asurface that has been exposed to blood or a blood product; andcontacting the surface with a composition containing an amount of acholesterol-sequestering agent effective to reduce the amount of anenvelope virus, if present, on the surface. An environmental surfacerefers to a surface that is not made of living cells, e.g., a surfacethat does not contain the skin of an individual. An environmentalsurface includes, for example, tables, floors, chairs, equipment,instruments, and the like.

In one embodiment, the surface is located in a medical facility. Forexample, the surface can be located in a patient care facility or in amedical laboratory.

A composition used according to the present method can be anycomposition described herein. In one embodiment, the compositioncontains an absorbent material containing the cholesterol-sequesteringagent, wherein the composition is contacted to the surface and releasesan amount of the cholesterol-sequestering agent effective to reduce theamount of an envelope virus, if present, on the surface.

In another embodiment, the composition contains a spray containing thecholesterol-sequestering agent. In another embodiment, the compositioncontains a powder containing the cholesterol-sequestering agent.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, the exemplary methods andmaterials are described below. All publications, patent applications,patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the presentapplication, including definitions, will control. The materials,methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to belimiting.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description, and from the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides methods and compositions for preventingan infection by microorganisms such as envelope viruses. The methods andcompositions of the invention make use of a cholesterol-sequesteringagent that can have one or more of several possible effects on amicroorganism. For some microorganisms such as envelope viruses, acholesterol-sequestering agent may cause the lysis of the virus. Byremoving cholesterol from a viral membrane, a cholesterol-sequesteringagent not only disrupts the ordered structure of membrane elements, butfurther destroys the integrity of the membrane itself leading todisruption of the viral membrane and leakage of viral contents, anirreversible process that fully inactivates the viral particle. In someinstances, a cholesterol-sequestering agent may block the uptake of anintracellular pathogen by blocking endocytosis in a cell. Accordingly, acholesterol-sequestering agent can be used to prevent dermaltransmission of microorganisms and/or to decontaminate a surface thathas come into contact with blood or a blood product that contains anenvelope virus.

Cholesterol-Sequestering Agent

Any cholesterol-sequestering agent can be used in the methods andcompositions of the invention. As described herein, acholesterol-sequestering agent binds to cholesterol and extracts anddepletes cholesterol from a biological membrane, such as a plasmamembrane or a membrane of an envelope virus. A cholesterol-sequesteringagent preferentially extracts cholesterol from lipid rafts present in abiological membrane.

Examples of cholesterol-sequestering agents include compounds such ascyclodextrins, nystatin, and filipin. Cyclodextrins include bothnaturally occurring cyclodextrins, e.g., alpha, beta, and gammacyclodextrins, as well as derivatives of naturally occurringcyclodextrins. Non-limiting examples of derivatives of naturallyoccurring cyclodextrins include derivatives of beta cyclodextrin such ashydroxypropyl beta cyclodextrin, carboxy-methyl beta cyclodextrin, andmethyl beta cyclodextrin. For a detailed description on cyclodextrinsand derivatives thereof, see, e.g., Parrish, M. A. “Cyclodextrins—aReview.” Sterling Organics Ltd., Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England; andcyclodex.com.

Beta cyclodextrin, a simple sugar ring structure containing seven alpha(1-4) glucopyranose units, has the ability to rapidly extractcholesterol from lipid rafts, thereby disrupting their ordered membranestructure. As a result of cholesterol removal, lipid rafts are dispersedin the plane of the membrane and the mechanisms responsible for entryand exit of envelop viruses from target cells are abolished.

Beta cyclodextrin has a particularly high affinity for cholesterol. Whenused at concentrations ranging from 5-100 mM, 2-HP-BCD removes membranecholesterol within minutes. At the molecular level, beta cyclodextrinresembles a toroid or cup-like structure with openings at both the topand bottom. The toroid structure contains hydrophilic groups on theexterior surface and hydrophobic groups on the interior surface. Thehydrophylic groups confer solubility in aqueous medium while thehydrophobic groups form the hydrophobic pocket that binds thecholesterol.

Hydroxypropyl beta cyclodextrin is an example of a derivative of betacyclodextrin that can be used in the methods of the invention.Hydroxypropyl beta cyclodextrin is a partially substitutedpoly(hydroxpropyl) ether of beta cyclodextrin. The basic closed circularstructure of beta cyclodextrin is maintained in hydroxypropyl betacyclodextrin. The glycosidic oxygen forming the bond between theadjacent glucose monomers and the hydrogen atoms lining the cavity ofthe cyclodextrin impart an electron density and hydrophobic character tothe cavity. Organic compounds interact with the walls of the cavity toform inclusion complexes. The hydroxyl groups and the hydroxypropylgroups are on the exterior of the molecule and interact with water toprovide the increased aqueous solubility of the hydroxypropyl betacyclodextrin and the complexes made with the hydroxypropyl betacyclodextrin. For a detailed description of the structure ofhydroxypropyl beta cyclodextrin, see, e.g., Muller et al. (1986)“Hydroxypropyl-B-cyclodextrin derivatives: Influence of average degreeof substitution on complexing ability and surface activity” J. Pharm.Sci. 75.

Compositions Containing Cholesterol-Sequestering Agents

As detailed herein, by removing cholesterol from the membrane of anenvelope virus, a cholesterol-sequestering agent not only disrupts theordered structure of the membrane elements, but further destroys theintegrity of the membrane itself leading to disruption of viralmembranes and leakage of viral contents into the medium, an irreversibleprocess that can fully inactivate the viral particle.

Envelope viruses that can be targeted using the methods and compositionsdescribed herein include, but are not limited to: a humanimmunodeficiency virus (HIV) such as HIV-1 or HIV-2; a human herpesvirus (HHV) such as HHV1, HHV2, HHV3, HHV4, HHV5, HHV6, HHV7, or HHV8; ahepatitis virus such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, orhepatitis D virus; a pox virus such as a small pox virus or molluscumcontagiosum virus; an orthomyxovirus such as an influenza virus types A,B, or C; a paramyxovirus such as a mumps virus or a parainfluenza virustype 1, 2, 3, or 4; a human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) such asHTLV type I or II; a togaviruses such as rubella virus, yellow fevervirus, or sinbis virus; ebola virus; or a coronavirus such as severeacute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus.

In addition to envelope viruses, the methods and compositions describedherein can be used to prevent dermal transmission of a variety ofmicroorganisms, for example, a bacterium (e.g., anthrax or chlamydia), amycobacterium (e.g., mycobacterium tuberculosis), a virus (e.g., anon-envelope virus, e.g., a protein coated virus such as picoma virus),a fungus, or a protozoan.

The methods and compositions described herein can be used to preventclinical conditions that result from an infection by an envelope virus,including but not limited to AIDS (HIV infection), certain cancers(caused by HTLV types I and II), fever blisters or cold sores (Herpeslabialis; HHV1 infection), genital herpes (Herpes genitalis; HHV2infection), chicken pox (HHV3 infection), herpes zoster or shingles(HHV3 infection), mononucleosis (HHV4 infection), cytomegalovirusinfection (HHV infection), Kaposi's Sarcoma (HHV8 infection), Germanmeasles (rubella virus infection), or severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS virus infection).

A variety of compositions can be formulated to contain an amount of acholesterol-sequestering agent effective to reduce or prevent dermaltransmission of an envelope virus to an individual. Accordingly, theskin of an individual can be protected from viral transmission byapplying a composition described herein to the skin. Thecholesterol-sequestering agent can be contained in, for example, creams,lotions, ointments, gels, liquids, sprays, powders, or absorbentmaterials. The composition can be applied to the skin before and/orafter contacting the skin with a material (e.g., blood or a bloodproduct) that contains or potentially contains an infective envelopevirus.

Hands, other body extremities, and/or any exposed part of an individualcan be contacted with the composition following the individual'sexposure to blood or a blood product. According to such a method, thecholesterol-sequestering agent renders an envelope virus present on theindividual's skin uninfective, thereby reducing the likelihood that theindividual will become infected by the envelope virus. The methodsencompass the application of the composition to both apparently healthyskin of the individual (e.g., skin lacking any observable lesions) aswell as the application of the composition to an area of skin containinga lesion or an area of skin that is irritated and/or is a site ofinflammation. For a skin lesion resulting from a medical procedurecarried out in the presence of blood or a blood products (e.g., a lesionresulting from a needle puncture or scalpel nick), the administration ofthe composition directly to the lesion can decrease the likelihood thatthe individual will become infected by the virus.

The composition can be contacted with the skin in the form of, forexample, a cream, lotion, gel, spray, or powder. In addition, thecomposition can be contained in an absorbent material, wherein thecomposition is formulated to release an amount of thecholesterol-sequestering agent effective to reduce or prevent dermaltransmission of the envelope virus to the individual when thecomposition is contacted to the skin of the individual. Examples ofcompositions containing an absorbent material include, but are notlimited to, swabs or towels such as wipes. Such absorbent materials canbe used to effectively clean an area of skin. Compositions used in suchmethods can contain additional antiviral and/or anti-microbial compoundsin addition to the cholesterol-sequestering agent.

In addition to contacting skin with the composition following exposureto blood or a blood product, hands and/or other portions of the body ofan individual can also or in the alternative be contacted with thecomposition before exposure to blood or a blood product. Such preemptiveaction can be useful to provide an individual with protection in case anunexpected exposure to an envelope virus occurs, e.g., during the courseof a medical procedure. The cholesterol-sequestering agent can beapplied to the skin using any formulation, including but not limited tothe various formulations described herein.

In addition to the compositions described herein, an individual can alsobe protected against infection by an envelope virus by the use of aphysical barrier that prevents the virus from contacting the skin.Examples of physical barriers frequently used in the medical communityinclude gloves, gowns, masks, and eyewear. Any of these physicalbarriers can be formulated to also contain a cholesterol-sequesteringagent described herein, so as to reduce or prevent the dermaltransmission of an envelope virus that breaches such a physical barrierand reaches the skin of an individual. For example, gloves can be usedthat contain a coating (an interior and/or exterior coating) of acomposition containing a cholesterol-sequestering agent. Suitable glovesinclude any type that is used in medical and/or research environments.For example, the gloves can be made of latex and can optionally be ofthe disposable variety. The coating of the composition can be in theform of a powder, cream, lotion, gel, or other suitable form.

A composition containing a cholesterol-sequestering agent can alsoinclude a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. As used herein thelanguage “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes solvents,dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents,isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like, compatible withpharmaceutical administration. Supplementary active compounds can alsobe incorporated into the compositions.

In addition to methods of contacting skin with acholesterol-sequestering agent to reduce or prevent dermal transmissionof an envelope virus, the compositions described herein can also be usedto treat an environmental surface, e.g., an inanimate surface in amedical or research facility. In general an environmental surface thathas been exposed to blood or a blood product (or has been potentiallyexposed to blood or a blood product) is contacted with a compositioncontaining an amount of a cholesterol-sequestering agent effective toreduce the amount of an envelope virus, if present, on the environmentalsurface. The cleaning of a surface with a composition described hereincan be incorporated as part of a routine procedure carried out betweenseparate uses of a given environmental surface. For example, anenvironmental surface can be cleaned with a composition described hereinduring the interval between two patients or two sets of patient materialbeing brought into contact with the same surface. The carrying out ofthe method decontaminates the environmental surface so as to reduce oreliminate the possibility that a patient or biological material thatlater contacts the surface will also come into contact with an envelopevirus.

Kits

A variety of compositions are described in the present application thatcontain an amount of a cholesterol-sequestering agent effective toreduce or prevent dermal transmission of an envelope virus to anindividual. These compositions are particularly useful for theinactivation of envelope viruses that contact the skin of an individualor that reside on a surface that has been contaminated by blood or ablood product.

The compositions can be prepared, e.g., by mass production techniques,to generate large numbers of substantially identical compositions, eachof which may be subject to single or multiple use by an individual. Forexample, gloves containing an amount of a cholesterol-sequestering agenteffective to reduce or prevent dermal transmission of an envelope virusto an individual wearing the glove can be prepared and packaged incontainers, e.g., boxes, containing at least 10, 50, 100, 500, 1,000,10,000, or more of such coated gloves. In another example, an absorbentcomposition (e.g., a swab or a wipe) formulated to release an amount ofa cholesterol-sequestering agent effective to reduce or prevent dermaltransmission of an envelope virus to an individual can also be preparedand packaged in containers, e.g., boxes, containing at least 10, 50,100, 500, 1,000, 10,000, or more of such absorbent compositions.Instructions can be included with such containers (e.g., in the form ofa paper included in the container or a writing on the container) thatinstruct the user that the composition reduces or prevents infection byan envelope virus described herein.

Kits as described herein can also contain a dispenser that facilitatesthe removal of individual compositions from a container.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

While the invention has been described in conjunction with the detaileddescription thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrateand not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scopeof the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications arewithin the scope of the following claims.

1. A glove comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface,wherein the interior surface is coated with an amount of acholesterol-sequestering agent effective to reduce or prevent dermaltransmission of an envelope virus to an individual wearing the glove. 2.The glove of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface of the glove iscoated with the cholesterol-sequestering agent.
 3. The glove of claim 1,wherein the glove is coated with a powder comprising thecholesterol-sequestering agent.
 4. The glove of claim 1, wherein thecholesterol-sequestering agent is a cyclodextrin.
 5. The glove of claim4, wherein the cyclodextrin is a beta-cyclodextrin.
 6. The glove ofclaim 5, wherein the beta-cyclodextrin is 2-OH-propyl-beta-cyclodextrin.7. The glove of claim 1, wherein the envelope virus is a humanimmunodeficiency virus (HIV).
 8. The glove of claim 1, wherein theenvelope virus is a human herpes virus, a hepatitis virus, a pox virus,an influenza virus, a parainfluenza virus, or a human T-celllymphotropic virus (HTLV).
 9. A kit comprising a plurality of glovesaccording to claim
 1. 10. The kit of claim 11, wherein the kit comprisesat least 10 of the gloves.
 11. The kit of claim 11, wherein the kitcomprises at least 50 of the gloves.
 12. The kit of claim 11, whereinthe kit comprises at least 100 of the gloves.
 13. A compositioncomprising an absorbent material comprising a cholesterol-sequesteringagent that prevents or reduces viral transmission, wherein thecomposition is formulated for dermal application to release an amount ofthe cholesterol-sequestering agent effective to reduce or prevent dermaltransmission of an envelope virus to an individual when the compositionis contacted to the skin of the individual.
 14. The composition of claim13, wherein the composition is a swab.
 15. The composition of claim 13,wherein the composition is a wipe.
 16. The composition of claim 13,wherein the absorbent material is cotton.
 17. The composition of claim13, wherein the cholesterol-sequestering agent is a cyclodextrin. 18.The composition of claim 17, wherein the cyclodextrin is abeta-cyclodextrin.
 19. The composition of claim 18, wherein thebeta-cyclodextrin is 2-OH-propyl-beta-cyclodextrin.
 20. The compositionof claim 13, wherein the envelope virus is a human immunodeficiencyvirus (HIV).
 21. The composition of claim 13, wherein the envelope virusis a human herpes virus, a hepatitis virus, a pox virus, an influenzavirus, a parainfluenza virus, or a human T-cell lymphotropic virus(HTLV).
 22. A kit comprising a plurality of compositions according toclaim
 13. 23. The kit of claim 22, wherein the kit comprises at least 10of the compositions.
 24. The kit of claim 22, wherein the kit comprisesat least 50 of the compositions.
 25. The kit of claim 22, wherein thekit comprises at least 100 of the compositions.
 26. A method of reducingor preventing viral transmission, the method comprising: selecting anindividual engaged in an activity associated with an elevated risk ofexposure to an envelope virus, wherein the activity is not a sexual ordrug use-related activity; and contacting a skin surface of theindividual with a composition comprising an amount of acholesterol-sequestering agent effective to reduce or prevent dermaltransmission of the envelope virus to the individual.
 27. The method ofclaim 26, wherein the individual is a medical worker.
 28. The method ofclaim 27, wherein the medical worker is a blood handler.
 29. The methodof claim 26, wherein the individual is a soldier.
 30. The method ofclaim 26, wherein a hand of the individual is contacted with thecomposition.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the composition is aglove comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, whereinthe interior surface of the glove is coated with the amount of thecholesterol-sequestering agent effective to reduce or prevent dermaltransmission of the envelope virus to the individual.
 32. The method ofclaim 26, wherein the composition comprises an absorbent materialcomprising the cholesterol-sequestering agent, and wherein thecomposition is contacted to the skin surface of the individual andreleases an amount of the cholesterol-sequestering agent effective toreduce or prevent transmission of the envelope virus to the individual.33. The method of claim 32, wherein the composition is contacted to aportion of the skin comprising a lesion or an irritation.
 34. The methodof claim 33, wherein the composition is contacted to a portion of theskin comprising a lesion resulting from a puncture of the skin with amedical instrument.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the medicalinstrument is a needle or a scalpel.
 36. The method of claim 26, whereinthe composition comprises a cream comprising thecholesterol-sequestering agent.
 37. The method of claim 26, wherein thecomposition comprises a spray comprising the cholesterol-sequesteringagent.
 38. The method of claim 26, wherein the composition comprises apowder comprising the cholesterol-sequestering agent.
 39. A method oftreating an environmental surface, the method comprising: identifying asurface that has been exposed to blood or a blood product; andcontacting the surface with a composition comprising an amount of acholesterol-sequestering agent effective to reduce the amount of anenvelope virus, if present, on the surface.
 40. The method of claim 39,wherein the surface is located in a medical facility.
 41. The method ofclaim 40, wherein the medical facility is a patient care facility. 42.The method of claim 40, wherein the medical facility is a medicallaboratory.
 43. The method of claim 39, wherein the compositioncomprises an absorbent material comprising the cholesterol-sequesteringagent, and wherein the composition is contacted to the surface andreleases an amount of the cholesterol-sequestering agent effective toreduce the amount of an envelope virus, if present, on the surface. 44.The method of claim 39, wherein the composition comprises a spraycomprising the cholesterol-sequestering agent.
 45. The method of claim39, wherein the composition comprises a powder comprising thecholesterol-sequestering agent.